On Friday, March 3, 2023, the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding Chamber partners at the 2023 Irmo Chamber Awards Night and Gala, presented by Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray, hosted by the Doubletree by Hilton. Honorees included the 2023 Ambassador of the Year, Diplomat of the Year, Order of the Okra, Coffee Talker of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Launch Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Small, Mid-Size and Large Businesses of the Year.
“2022 was a year of Champions showcasing the grit and resilience of the Irmo Business Community. It was an honor and a pleasure to come together with these amazing people to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of our business leaders,” says Kerry Powers, Greater Irmo Chamber President and CEO.
This year, the Greater Irmo Chamber is privileged to present the prestigious Ambassador of the Year award to Cynthia Giles, owner of Cut Throat Marketing, a digital marketing firm in Irmo. Ms. Giles was Chair of the Irmo Chamber Board in 2022 and her contributions brought unprecedented growth to the Chamber including the development of the Irmo Business Foundation, a 501c3 under the Chamber’s umbrella.
The Ambassador of the Year award is given to an individual who has contributed to the growth of the Irmo community and the Greater Irmo Chamber through action and/or service. Past Ambassador of the Year winners include Congressman Joe Wilson, former Rep. Chip Huggins, Barbara Willm with Lexington Medical Center and Tom Ledbetter with Midlands Technical College.
“Cynthia has been an integral part of the growth and success of the Irmo Chamber during the last 7 years. Her passion for helping small businesses succeed is contagious and I proud to serve alongside her”, says 2023 Irmo Chamber Chairman, Roger Johansson with New York Life.
2023 Award Recipients:
Ambassador of the Year | Cynthia Giles, Cut Throat Marketing
Diplomat of the Year | Mike Johnson, Midlands Media Group
Order of the Okra | Beach Loveland, Loveland Coffee
Coffee Talker of the Year | Lt. Andrea Grindstead, Irmo Police Department
Non-Profit of the Year | Providence Home
Launch Award | Westmore Land of Gifts & Apparel
Small Business of the Year | Luzianna Purchase
Mid-Size Business of the Year | The Bistro
Large Business of the Year | Modern Exterminating
Community Service Award | Steve Padgett’s Honda of Lake Murray
Lifetime Achievement Award | Chip Huggins, SC House District 85 (1999-2022)
For more information about becoming a partner in the Greater Irmo Chamber, please contact Kerry Powers at 803.749.9355 or visit www.funchamber.com
Photo Caption: Irmo Chamber President Kerry Powers, Cynthia Giles-Cut Throat Marketing, Chairman Roger Johansson, New York Life
Photo credit: Leigh Essig Photography
